Falcons DBs Dwight Lowery, Kemal Ishmael exit with injuries

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/28/14) Falcons defensive backs Dwight Lowery (knee) and Kemal Ishmael (hamstring) each left Sunday's regular season finale against Carolina due to injuries, per the team's official website. Both players were deemed questionable to return to the game.

Falcons S William Moore slated for MRI on injured shoulder

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/22/14) Falcons safety William Moore will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of his injured shoulder, reports ESPN. Moore separated his shoulder in Week 4 and appear to have aggravated the injury after playing 41 snaps against New Orleans on Sunday.

At this point his status remains uncertain for the regular-season finale against Carolina. Atlanta is currently a 3 1/2-point home favorite against Carolina, according to Vegas Insider. The winner will advance to the postseason.

Late TD makes for big day for Falcons DST

by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer

(12/21/14) In what seemed like an unfavorable matchup with the Saints stepping up their offensive production in recent weeks, the Falcons DST turned in its second-best performance of the season Week 16 at New Orleans, scoring 23 Fantasy points in standard CBSSports.com leagues.

Of course, a long fumble recovery return for a touchdown in the game's closing seconds padded that number a good bit, but the Falcons genuinely did play good defense, limiting the Saints to 14 points on 328 yards. They had two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a season-high five sacks, as many as in their previous five games combined.

Though they weren't at their best with tough matchups against the Packers and Steelers in Weeks 14 and 15, the Falcons have done a better job of forcing turnovers in the second half of the season, and it made a big difference in Week 16. Still, outside of deeper leagues, you have no reason to resort to the Falcons DST against Carolina in Week 17.

Hamstring injury knocks Falcons CB Josh Wilson out of Week 16

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/21/14) Falcons cornerback Josh Wilsonwas forced out of Sunday's game against New Orleans with a hamstring injury. He sustained the injury in the third quarter and was ruled questionable to return to the game.

Falcons S William Moore exits with shoulder injury

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12/21/14) Falcons safety William Moore was forced out of Sunday's game against the Saints with a shoulder injury. Moore sustained the injury in the third quarter and was ruled questionable to return to the game. He registered two tackles before leaving the game.

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Defense was never going to be a strong suit for the Falcons, but things got about as bad as they could get a year ago. The unit recorded just five double-digit Fantasy scoring efforts a year ago. Compare that to eight games in which they scored five or fewer Fantasy points. Their pass rush was nonexistent, though they did make a few signings that could help in that regard. Even if they do improve, however, this is a unit that is a long way away from respectability, so they won't be worth a look on Draft Day.
(Updated 4/22/15)